Seaward side option preferred for Walking, Cycling Resilience project

November 12, 2015 at 8:00 PM

Valley Walking, Cycling and Resilience Project are now able to confirm that

a seaside option is their preference for the section between Petone and

Ngauranga.

This decision follows announcements earlier this year about Government funding for the northern and southern sections – Ngauranga to CBD and Melling to Petone – as part of the Urban Cycleways Programme, where $9m was made available for early construction of these sections.

The decision to proceed with a seaward option is positive news for many who advocated for this option since work began in 2013. When options were publicly discussed in early 2014, feedback demonstrated people felt a seaside option was the only choice. Few preferred a roadside alternative and those who did, preferred this because it could be built sooner.

Selecting a seaside option was based on consultation outcomes andfeedback from stakeholders, user groups, iwi representatives, communitygroups and the general public. It is also based on an assessment of the wider benefits this option can provide, including safety, look and feel and resilience for both the highway and the rail corridor between Wellington and the Hutt Valley.